The Kellys and the O'Kellys eBook

“Well then, Mr Lynch, I didn’t exactly
know him; but living so near him, and he having so
much business in the county, and myself having a little,
I believe I’ve been in company with him, odd
times.”

“He was a queer man: wasn’t he, Mr
Daly?”

“Was he, then? I dare say. I didn’t
know much about him. I’ll take the sugar
from you, Mr Lynch; I believe I might as well mix a
drop, as the night’s cold.”

“That’s right. I thought you weren’t
the fellow to sit with an empty glass before you.
But, as I was saying before, the old boy was a queer
hand; that is, latterly—­for the last year
or so. Of course you know all about his will?”

“Faith then, not much. I heard he left
a will, dividing the property between you and Miss
Lynch.”

“He did! Just at the last moment, when
the breath wasn’t much more than left in him,
he signed a will, making away half the estate, just
as you say, to my sister. Blake could have broke
the will, only he was so d——­ pig-headed
and stupid. It’s too late now, I suppose?”

“Why, I could hardly answer that, you know,
as I never heard the circumstances; but I was given
to understand that Blake consulted McMahon; and that
McMahon wouldn’t take up the case, as there was
nothing he could put before the Chancellor. Mind
I’m only repeating what people said in Tuam,
and about there. Of course, I couldn’t think
of advising till I knew the particulars. Was it
on this subject, Mr Lynch, you were good enough to
send for me?”

“Not at all, Mr Daly. I look upon that
as done and gone; bad luck to Blake and McMahon, both.
The truth is, between you and me, Daly—­I
don’t mind telling you; as I hope now you will
become my man of business, and it’s only fair
you should know all about it—­the truth
is, Blake was more interested on the other side, and
he was determined the case shouldn’t go before
the Chancellor. But, when my father signed that
will, it was just after one of those fits he had lately;
that could be proved, and he didn’t know what
he was doing, from Adam! He didn’t know
what was in the will, nor, that he was signing a will
at all; so help me, he didn’t. However,
that’s over. It wasn’t to talk about
that that I sent for you; only, sorrow seize the rogue
that made the old man rob me! It wasn’t
Anty herself, poor creature; she knew nothing about
it; it was those who meant to get hold of my money,
through her, that did it. Poor Anty! Heaven
knows she wasn’t up to such a dodge as that!”

“Well, Mr Lynch, of course I know nothing of
the absolute facts; but from what I hear, I think
it’s as well to let the will alone. The
Chancellor won’t put a will aside in a hurry;
it’s always a difficult job—­would
cost an immense sum of money, which should, any way,
come out of the property; and, after all, the chances
are ten to one you’d be beat.”

“Perhaps you’re right, now; though I’m
sure, had the matter been properly taken up at first—­had
you seen the whole case at the first start, the thing
could have been done. I’m sure you would
have said so; but that’s over now; it’s
another business I want you for. But you don’t
drink your punch!—­and it’s dry work
talking, without wetting one’s whistle,”
and Barry carried out his own recommendation.